Line-casting machine.



P. T. DODGE.

LINE CASTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 18, 1912.

rn R COLUMBIA PLANOLIRAPH COq'WASHNOTON, D. C.

P. T. DODGE.

LINE CASTING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN.18, 1912.

1,085,893. Patented Feb. 3, 1914.-

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2 BHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES:

wmvron COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co.,wAsmNeToN. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PHILIP '1. DODGE, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR T0 MERGEN- THALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

LINE-CASTING- MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 3,1914.

Application filed. January 18, 1912. Serial No. 671,891.

My invention has reference to line casting machines in which the composed line of matrices, confined between jaws or abutments, is justified or elongated to a predetermined length by the expansion of double wedge spacers seated in the line between the word groups of matrices, as shown for example, in Letters Patent of the United States to Mergenthaler 436,532. When tabular mattermatter containing columns of figures-is composed in these machines it is necessary that the vertical rules or spaces between the columns shall stand in exact alinement vertically. To secure this result it has been proposed to introduce in the line between thdmatrices representing the several groups of figures or words, spaces or abutments in a fixed position. When these are used it is necessary to justify each group of matrices in the line independently, and this necessitates the movement of the various wedge justifiers different distances, according to the amount of expansion or elongation required at various points.

My invention has reference to means for automatically advancing the series of spacers in the line independently at one operation, so that each spacer may be expanded more or less as required, and the line as a whole thus justified, while permitting each group or word to end in a predetermined position. To this end I employ as a means of advancing the wedges endwise through the line, a pusher comprising a series of parallel slides frictionally held, so that when moved upward in series they will push the wedges before them until the respective wedges are arrested, whereupon the slide acting upon the arrested wedge will cease its advance while the others will continue until the justifying action is completed. The pusher is so constructed that when it retreats to its normal position the plates are again placed in a common line.

The invention consists broadly in a pusher or actuating device for justifying wedges composed of independently yielding, frictionally held members, which jointly present a yielding or flexible surface to act on the I wedges.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown my invention embodied in a form suitable for use in commercial Mergenthaler linotype machines of the present day, but it will be understood that it is applicable also to other machines of the same general character, and that it may be widely modified as to the form and details of the parts, provided the mode of action above described is retained.

In the drawings: Figure l is an elevation of the inner side of the so-called viseframe of a Mergenthaler machine with my improvement incorporated therein; a line of matrices and spacers being contained be,- tween the confining jaws; with the pusher in the normal position, ready to act on the justifiers. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2f2 of the preceding figure. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, with the pusher advanced and the spacers arrested in various positions, on the completion of the justifying action. Fig. 4 is a view of one of the pusher plates detached.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the vise-frame, a part of the main frame of the machine, B, B, the two opposite jaws between which the matrix line is confined, and by which its final lengths is determined.

0, C, etc., are the groups of matrices seat ed between the ordinary means.v

D, D, are abutments or blank matrices seated in the line between the groups of matrices C, and fixed against side motion. These may be constructed, introduced into the line, and secured against lateral movement in any suitable manner, for example,

as shown in Letters Patent of the United States No. 676,306. They are used to determ1ne the location in the line of the last figure or character in each group, so that when the lines are printed in succession the charouter surfaces are parallel, this construction being that commonly used in Mergenthaler machines, and familiar to all persons skilled in the art.

jaws, and supported by the accuses So far as described the parts are already known in the art.

Passing now to the subject-matter of my invention, F is a vertically guided pusher frame to actuate the spacers. It is mounted in the main frame, and may be actuated by the levers and cams now used to operate the justification slides of the Mergenthaler machines, or by any other suitable means, the actuating devices being foreign to the present invention. This frame is constructed at the top with two vertical arms on opposite sides supporting two upright plates 7, between which there is seated a series of vertical pusher plates f, lying side by side, and constituting jointly a solid block or mass underlying the whole series of spacers. The pusher plates 7''" are sustained and guided so that they may move upward and downward independently of one another; and they are held in strong frictional contact by means of plates f, which are pivoted to horizontal supporting studs 7, seated in the upper end of the frame F, and urged yieldingly one toward the other by means of a spiral spring F. The plates may be held and guided vertically in the frame, and in relation to each other, in any suitable manner, but I prefer to construct each plate as shown in Fig. 4:, with a longitudinal slot, and to secure within the frame the guide bar i passing through these slots.

the upper ends of the plates 7 standing at a common level, and forming a continuous surface beneath the spacers. When ustlficai tion is to be effected the frame F is moved upward as shown in Fig. 3, so that the lower ends of the various spacers E, will be acted upon by those plates or slides f, which stand below them. As the frame F continues its upward movement the various spacers will be advanced until they are individually arrested by the resistance of the matrices G, and abutments D, each group being separately justified. lVhenever a spacer is thus arrested and offers a strong resistance to further advance, it will overcome the friction by which the plate f is urged upward and will prevent further advance of the plate, although the frame F and the other plates 7" may continue their upward move ment.

It will be seen that as the plates or slides f" are urged upward by frictional contact with each other and with the pusher plates f, they are free to stop independently, and one at a time, in one position or another, ac cording to the points at which the several spacers are arrested. hen the frame F descends, carrying with it the plates f, the lower ends of the latter will contact with the stationary bar f and thus all the plates will be restored to a common level at the upper H end, preparatory to the next operation.

It will be observed that the series of plates f held by frictional pressure between the yielding plates f, present jointly at the upper end a flexible surface by which the various spacers may be independently ad vanced, each to a greater or less distance, as required. It will also be observed that as the slides are held frictionally the spacers are subjected to uniform upward pressure regardless of the distance they are advanced, the friction in this respect being materially different from what it would be if the plates 7" were supported by individual springs subjected to different degrees of compression.

It is to be observed that as the confining plates f are supported by springs, and free to move laterally to a limited extent, the entire body of plates f may yield slightly to one side or the other, to adapt themselves to the positions of the spacers in the line.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a machine of the class described, a pusher for the justifying wedges comprising a series of independently yielding members pressed together laterally so as to be held in normal relation to the pusher by their lateral frictional engagement.

2. In a machine of the class described, an actuating device for justifying wedges comprising a series of parallel, independently movable pusher plates, and means for ap- Normally the parts stand as 1n F 1g. 1,

plying pressure to said plates to cause frictional contact between them.

3. In a machine of the class described, as a means of actuating the justifying wedges, a movable frame, a series of plates mounted to slide independently therein and pressed together laterally so as to be held in normal relation thereto by their lateral frictional engagement, and means to advance the frame and plates against the wedges.

4. In a machine of the class described, a reciprocating frame, F, a series of parallel sliding plates, f, and means for forcing the plates into frictional contact.

5. In a machine of the class described, as a means of advancing the ustifying wedges, a pusher comprising a series of pusherplates maintained in operative position by friction, that they may yield independently when arrested by the spacers, and means for restoring the plates to a common alinement subsequent to the justifying action.

6. In a machine of the class described, the frame F, parallel pusher plates f, and two plates f yieldingly urged one toward the other, between which the first-named plates are supported.

7. In combination with the reciprocating frame F, the series of frictionally held plates f, carried thereby, and a stop f to restore these plates to a common alinement when they retreat from action.

8. In a machine of the class described,

groups of matrices in a common line, in combination with jaws to limit the elongation of the line, fixed abutments D, between the matrix groups in the line, wedge spacers or ustifiers, E, seated in the line adjacent to the abutments, a series of plates f, and means for advancing said plates against the spacers, the said plates being pressed together laterally so as to be held in normal relation to the advancing means by their lateral fric- 10 tional engagement. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of January, 1912, in the presence of two attesting witnesses. PHILIP T. DODGE.

Witnesses:

E. J. LAMB, WALTER MOBLARD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0." 

